Congressmen Keith Rothfus (PA-12) and Lou Barletta (PA-11), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, led a roundtable policy discussion with federal, state, and local officials and private sector experts today in Somerset, Pennsylvania. They examined the adverse impacts of the opioid crisis on economic development and the workforce in Appalachia, and discussed ways to address them.

"The opioid crisis has devastated families, neighbors, and citizens in communities across Western Pennsylvania, and has severely impacted our economy, education, criminal justice, and healthcare systems," said Congressman Rothfus. "We must combat this crisis with a comprehensive approach that focuses on treatment, prevention, and enforcement. And we must also work together to help provide economic opportunity to those in recovery. I thank the Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee Chairman Lou Barletta (PA-11) for hosting this roundtable in Somerset. He continues to be a leader on this issue. I am a proud cosponsor of his bill, the Treating Barriers to Prosperity Act, that will help direct Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) funds to address opioid-related workforce issues and economic development concerns. Also, I want to thank Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (PA- 9) for his continued leadership on these matters."

"There isn't a community across America that hasn't been impacted by the opioid crisis, but it has disproportionally devastated the Appalachian region," said Congressman Barletta. "I thank Congressman Rothfus for joining me today to help us find real-world solutions that will give communities across Pennsylvania the tools they need to combat the opioid crisis, and I look forward to continuing our important work."

"Republicans have made a $4 billion investment to help our nation combat addiction and save lives. With additional resources to help treat, prevent, and stop addiction, our communities are 'Better Off Now' in the face of this crisis. However, there is still more work that must be done," said House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA). "At all levels - from the doctor's office, to our local businesses, to Congress - we need more solutions to give people help and hope. I applaud and thank Reps. Lou Barletta and Keith Rothfus for bringing people together to discuss those solutions at their roundtable."

Background:

The opioids crisis is widespread across the United States but is particularly devastating to the Appalachian region. Last year, the ARC commissioned two reports specifically examining potential challenges to economic development in Appalachia. For example, the reports highlight that when examining overdose deaths, the mortality rate among individuals who are 25 to 44 years old experienced was 70 percent higher in Appalachia than that in the non-Appalachian states. The loss of life in this age group, those in their prime working years, is a devastating blow to economic development in the region.

In March, Chairman Barletta, Rep. Rothfus, and several of their House of Representatives colleagues introduced the bipartisan Treating Barriers to Prosperity Act of 2018 (H.R. 5294). This act will help ensure that federal funding available through the Appalachian Regional Commission may be used to address the opioid crisis and mitigate impacts on the region's workforce. It also clarifies that funds can be used to facilitate the regional sharing of best practices to reduce opioid abuse; support programs designed to eliminate or reduce the harm to workers and to economic growth; attract and retain health care services, businesses, and workers; and develop relevant infrastructure, including broadband, to support telemedicine. H.R. 5294 was overwhelmingly approved by the House on June 13, 2018, and now awaits Senate action.